What Happens if You Eat Undercooked Turkey Sausage?

Turkey sausage is a popular alternative to pork and beef sausage. It’s often seen as a healthier option due to its lower fat content. However like any ground meat, it requires thorough cooking to eliminate potential foodborne illnesses. So what exactly happens if you eat turkey sausage that’s undercooked?

The Dangers of Undercooked Turkey Sausage

Turkey sausage, even when raw, looks fully cooked because it’s made from white meat But just because it may be pink inside doesn’t mean it’s safe to eat. Undercooked turkey sausage puts you at risk for exposure to harmful bacteria, such as

• Salmonella – Can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and dehydration.

• E. coli – Causes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.

• Listeria – Mostly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

• Campylobacter – Leads to diarrhea, cramping, fever, and nausea.

The reason ground turkey is so risky is that the grinding process can introduce bacteria from the surface down into the meat. And because it’s ground, there’s more surface area for bacteria to lurk.

What Symptoms May Result

If you consume undercooked turkey sausage containing dangerous bacteria, here are some common symptoms you could experience:

• Stomach cramps and abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea, possibly bloody
• Fever and chills
• Fatigue and muscle aches
• Dehydration

Symptoms typically start within 12-72 hours after ingesting contaminated meat. Most cases cause temporary food poisoning that resolves in 5-7 days. But more dangerous strains can lead to severe dehydration, kidney failure, paralysis, seizures, and even death in extreme cases.

Who is Most at Risk?

While undercooked turkey sausage can make anyone sick, certain groups are more prone to developing severe or even life-threatening complications, including:

• Young children
• Older adults
• Pregnant women
• Those with weakened immune systems
• People taking medicines that reduce stomach acid
• People with chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer

For these high risk groups, extra care should be taken to fully cook turkey sausage to safe internal temperatures.

What to Do if You Get Sick

If you suspect you’ve gotten ill from undercooked turkey sausage, here are important steps to take:

• Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
• Get plenty of rest
• Monitor fever with a thermometer
• Take over-the-counter medicines like Pepto-Bismol or Imodium for diarrhea and pain relief
• Seek medical care if symptoms don’t improve after a few days or get worse

Be sure to call your doctor promptly if you see signs of dehydration, bloody stools, high fever, or severe nausea and vomiting.

How to Treat Food Poisoning

Most mild cases of food poisoning from undercooked turkey sausage can be managed at home with the following:

• Fluids – Sip small amounts of water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte solutions.

• Bland diet – Stick to foods like toast, rice, bananas, and crackers.

• Probiotics – Can help restore good gut bacteria. Yogurt and supplements are options.

• Rest – Take it easy and sleep as much as possible.

• Medications – Over-the-counter meds can provide relief for diarrhea, nausea, and cramps.

See your doctor if any worrying symptoms emerge, especially signs of dehydration or bloody stools, which could indicate a more serious illness. IV fluids, hospitalization, or antibiotics may be needed.

Preventing Foodborne Illness from Turkey Sausage

You can keep yourself and your loved ones safe by taking these proper precautions when cooking and handling turkey sausage:

• Cook to 165°F internally, using a food thermometer to verify doneness. Any pink indicates undercooking.

• Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards, utensils, and plates for raw and cooked foods.

• Refrigerate turkey sausage promptly and cook within 1-2 days of purchase.

• Thaw frozen sausage in the fridge, never at room temperature.

• Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly before and after handling raw turkey.

As long as you take the proper safety measures, you can feel good about enjoying turkey sausage, thanks to its lean protein and flavor. Just remember to always cook it thoroughly and practice safe handling. While eating it undercooked comes with risks, they can be avoided with proper precautions in the kitchen.